This is the course webpage for Introduction to Japanese Society (2025), Friday Period 3.
Syllabus: 19J2003-日本社会入門
Grading Rubric: Introduction to Japanese Society Rubric 2025
Active Learning Hours Portfolio: ALHP for IJS 2025
Class Text:
The following open access book is the basic resource for this course: Statistical Handbook of Japan 2025
Week 1 (3 October) : The Japanese Archipelago – geography, climate, territory
Course explanation. Each class includes the following components:
Lecture: A short lecture (10-25 minutes). The lecture materials (slides and script) are available by clicking the link: IJS2025 Week 01
On-demand materials & discussion time: Read/watch the materials in the on-demand materials pages. You may navigate around the materials page using this navigation bar:
On-demand materials navigation bar: IJS homepage, Wk1, Wk2, Wk3, Wk4, Wk5, Wk6, Wk7, Wk8, Wk9, Wk10, Wk11, Wk12, Wk13
Or use the links in each week below. Discuss in small groups and prepare questions. This week’s materials are here: Wk1.
In the news this week: I will introduce a news article and you will have time to read and discuss it. This week, let’s think about the upcoming LDP leadership election. At this point in the class we take attendance!
Q&A: We will have time each week to answer your questions (decided in your groups) about the class materials, and more generally about Japanese society. Ask your questions each week using this Google Form.
Mini-exams: These are 30-minute tests in Weeks 3, 6, 9 and 13. They are the main part of your assessment for the term. See below for the questions.
Week 2 (10 October): Population – population shrinkage, rural depopulation, aging society
Lecture: IJS2025 Week 02 A, IJS2025 Week 02 B
On-demand materials & discussion time: This week’s materials are here: Wk2.
In the news this week: I will introduce a news article and you will have time to read and discuss it. This week, let’s think about the friction caused by immigration and tourism amidst depopulation. It has also been a busy week on the Nobel Prizes front.
Q&A
Week 3 (17 October): Multicultural Japan – minorities, urban vs rural, prefectural characteristics
Mini exam question 1. Japan’s population is shrinking. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of tackling this issue through an active policy of immigration.
Lecture: IJS2025 Week 03
On-demand materials & discussion time: This week’s materials are here: Wk3.
In the news this week: The end of Osaka Expo. Multicultural celebration or a nationalist hangover from the age of empire? (Attendance form here)
Q&A
Week 4 (24 October): The State – parliament, bureaucracy, local authorities
Returning Mini-test 1: Some analysis about levels of foreigner crime. And National Police Agency statistics.
Lecture: IJS2025 Week 04
On-demand materials & discussion time: This week’s materials are here: Wk4.
In the news this week: Japan’s first female prime minister. An historic moment … Here is what a few people in the street think about it.
Q&A
Week 5 (31 October): The Economy – industry, agriculture, business
Lecture: IJS2025 Week 05
On-demand materials & discussion time: This week’s materials are here: Wk5.
In the news this week: The visit of Donald Trump. And the attendance sheet is here.
Q&A
Week 6 (7 November): Work – full-time work, part-time work, male-female (in)equality
Mini exam question 2. The current percentage of women in the Japanese parliament (lower house) is 16%. How can this number be raised? Does it need to be raised?
Lecture: IJS2025 Week 06
On-demand materials & discussion time: This week’s materials are here: Wk6.
In the news this week: The cost of raising a child, and the implications for population/work. The attendance sheet is here.
Q&A
Week 7 (14 November): Households – family structure, housing, declining birthrates
Returning Mini-test 2
Lecture: IJS2025 Week 07 A
On-demand materials & discussion time: Discuss in groups the types of household in this PDF file: IJS2025 Week 07 B. This week’s other materials are here: Wk7.
In the news this week: There is a lot about bear attacks in the news at the moment. Why do you think this is?
Q&A
Week 8 (28 November): Class – “middle class Japan”, wealth and poverty
Lecture: IJS2025 Week 08
On-demand materials & discussion time: This week’s materials are here: Wk8.
In the news this week: the governor of Fukui prefecture resigns over sexual harassment, Prime Minister Takaichi’s comments cause a stir with China, and a Ukrainian sumo wrestler makes history … Attendance sheet for this week.
Q&A
Week 9 (5 December): Education – compulsory education, higher education, qualifications and training
Mini exam question 3. “The Japanese education system is fair and egalitarian.” Give one argument for and one argument against this opinion.
Lecture: IJS2025 Week 09
On-demand materials & discussion time: This week’s materials are here: Wk9.
In the news this week: What do you think of this year’s buzzword?! And a quick reminder about research ethics!
Q&A
Week 10 (12 December): Leisure – sport, pop culture, entertainment
Returning Mini-test 3
Lecture: IJS2025 Week 10
On-demand materials & discussion time: This week’s materials are here: Wk10.
In the news this week: Tohoku University is raising tuition fees for international students. Departure tax will be raised for foreigners. Do foreigners have all the money now?!! And congratulations to Japan’s Nobel Prize Winners … and to Donald Trump for winning the FIFA Peace Prize. Attendance this week is here.
Q&A
Active Learning Hours Report Deadline, Friday 12 December, 14:10.
Week 11 (19 December): The Environment – disasters, energy, nature
Lecture: IJS2025 Week 11
On-demand materials & discussion time: This week’s materials are here: Wk11.
Dual Degree Materials discussion
In the news this week: Here is an article about record tourism numbers. And attendance for this week is here.
Q&A
Week 12 (9 January): The Movement of People – relocation, migration, tourism
Returning ALHP: comments on your performance
Lecture: IJS2025 Week 12
On-demand materials & discussion time: This week’s materials are here: Wk12.
In the news this week: Japan’s official response to the Venezuela situation.
Q&A
Week 13 (TUESDAY 13 January): Japan in International Society – international relations, defense, contributions to international society
Mini exam question 4. War or climate change: Which is the bigger threat to Japan in the next 10 years?
Lecture:
On-demand materials & discussion time: This week’s materials are here: Wk13.
Q&A and Course Wrap-up
お疲れ様でした！